Boeing logs cancellation for five 747s, adds 777 order

Boeing dropped orders for five 747 jumbo jets from the backlog this week but added a request for a 777.

The jet maker announced last month that it will slow production on the 747 from two to 1.75 jets monthly next year due to declining demand.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd. and Boeing agreed to cancel the order, valued at $1.76 billion, a Boeing spokesman told Bloomberg News. The Dubai-based firm placed large orders with both Boeing and Airbus in 2007 but slowly has canceled off those requests.

With the 747 cancellation, Boeing has received 105 orders for the updated 747-8. The company had delivered 46 747-8s through the end of April.

The Intercontinental, or passenger version of the 747-8, now has just 26 unfilled orders. The freighter model has 33.

Boeing attributed the 777 order added Thursday to an unidentified VIP or business jet customer.

Boeing had 255 net orders through the end of April. The Chicago-based company delivered 44 aircraft in April, bringing its delivery total this year to 181.